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Michael February (Kommetjie) throws an air-reverse at J-Bay Point on his way to a 10 point ride, the U20 boys title, the highest heat score and the Fly Away award at the RVCA Junior Series event. Photo: Luke Patterson

The final day of the inaugural RVCA Junior Series enjoyed classic one metre waves peeling all the way down the legendary Lower Point and providing the perfect canvas on for the cream of South Africa’s aged 20-and-under surfers to express their creative talent as they duelled for titles in seven age divisions, over R100 000 in cash and prizes along with points on the Pro Surf Tour rankings.

The saga unfolded with equal measures of elation for the winners and disappointment for the losers as a perfect 10 point ride was recorded, courageous performances were posted by the groms and high flying aerials and progressive manoeuvres were mixed with power carves and massive hacks.

The premierU20 boys final produced the tightest finish of the entire event when local J-Bay standout Dylan Lightfoot, needing just 5.76 to snatch victory from heat leader Mikey February (Kommetjie) as time ran out, was awarded 5.75 for his final ride, leaving the pair tied on 12.85 points in first place. February was awarded the title on a count back to each surfer’s best ride when his 8.25 trumped Lightfoot’s 7.0, with Davey Brand (Kommetjie) just 0.35 of point behind them in third and Slade Prestwich (Durban North) ending fourth.

By contrast, Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay) was in a class of her own in the U20 girls, dominating every heat she contested, including the final where her total of 13.25 left her two points clear of runner-up Nicole Pallet (La Lucia) with Tahra Uren (J-Bay) and Nikita Kekana (Kalk Bay) taking the minor placings.

The U16 girls followed a similar script with top seed Anoush Zakarian (Melkbosstrand) delivering huge backhand manoeuvres to go unbeaten throughout the event. The newly capped SA Junior Team member clinched the title ahead of Ashleigh Vaughan (Port Elizabeth), Kayla Verreynne (Mossel Bay) and Robin van der Merwe (PE), who all started in Round 1 of the event and ousted the event seeds on their way to the final.

The U16 boys final featured three surfers from the U14 division led by 12 year-old Mexican Sebastian Williams who justified his ‘supergrom’ status by finishing second behind Steff Burrows (Stellenbosch), the only genuine U16 surfer in the final, and ahead of fellow U14’s Adin Masencamp (Strand) and Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie).

Rewaldo Abersalie was another whose local knowledge and powerful backhand attack groomed in the superlative waves at Jeffreys Bay led to a RVCA title. The J-Bay local secured the U14 boys division with Masencamp the runner-up, Williams third and Ford Van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) taking fourth place.

Saxon Randall (Durban) started his assault on the U12 boys title with an excellent 8.0 point ride which proved to be highest of final and he overcame the challenges of Max Elkington (Hout Bay), Karl Steen (George) and York van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie), who finished in that order.

The youngest division in the event, the U10 boys, made history by becoming the first final in this age category to be held in solid 3 to 4 foot (one metre) waves on a point break, which were overhead for most of the tiny competitors, without having assistance from coaches or caddies in the water.

The standard was set when newcomer Christian Venter (Melkbosstrand) courageously charged into the biggest wave of the day on his first ride, riding it the entire length of the point. However, it was RVCA team rider James Ribbink (Durban North), whose experience and expert advice from his father, former SA champion and all-round waterman Jason Ribbink, who went on to be crowned champion with Venter taking second, Alex Townsend (Cape Town) third and Viviers Strydom (George) placing fourth.

Michael February was a shoe-in for the ‘Fly-Away’ award for the surfer punting the biggest aerial manoeuvre during the event by producing a massive frontside air-reverse, where the tail of his board was higher than his head. MFeb, as he is known, received a trip for two to Jeffreys Bay courtesy of J-Bay Travel including return flights from anywhere in SA and accommodation at ‘African Perfection’, the premier B&B overlooking Supertubes.

The lanky 19 year-old ASP World Tour campaigner from Kommetjie also earned himself an Apple iPad and custom-built Nixon accessories for posting the highest heat total of the event. His near-perfect 19.50 out of 20 came in his semi-final clash where he started out with 9.50 and then recorded the only perfect 10 point score of the event on the ride that included the air-reverse and a series of searing manoeuvres before finishing with another punt that he completed with full control.

The ‘On Fire’ awards for the surfers displaying the most radical and expressive approach during the event saw U14 finalists Ford van Jaarsveldt and Adin Masencamp each become the proud owners of a state of the art Firewire surfboard.

David Van Zyl (Glenashley), another of the emerging crop of SA juniors competing on the ASP World circuit, was rewarded for his power surfing when he collected the Sector 9 skateboard for the ’Biggest Carve’.

All the results from the RVCA Junior Series can be found at www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za and the activities were filmed with the photos and videos available for free download.

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

Sebastian Williams (Mexico) in action at J-Bay Point on Day 2 of the RVCA Junior Series Photo: Richard Johnson

Competitors in the RVCA Junior Series tore into the waves peeling down the fabled point at Jeffreys Bay on Saturday, posting outstanding rides and high scores on Day 2 of the event.

As the wind dropped and one metre waves swept into the bay, the U14 boys went ballistic with Adin Masencamp (Strand), 13, recording the highest heat tally of the event, 16.5 out of a possible 20, while Sebastian Williams (Mexico), 12, flew through the best aerial manoeuvre seen so far.

The day’s action got off to a delayed start as organisers waited for the tide to fill in and the opening round of the U20 boys were given 25 minute heats. Most of the seeded surfers advanced with the likes of Slade Prestwich (Durban North), Mikey February (Kommetjie), Jeffreys Bay locals Steven Sawyer and Dylan Lightfoot and Max Armstrong (Scarborough) delivering impressive heat victories in the small waves and strong offshore wind.

Emma Smith (J-Bay) was the standout in the U20 girls, racking up rides of 8.25 and 7.0, each out of 10, to take the early lead in the chase for the highest heat total and was joined in the semi-finals by fellow heat winners Nicole Pallet (La Lucia), Tahra Uren (J-Bay) and surprise package Roxy Giles (George), along with their respective runners-up.

SA U15 champion Chrystal Hulett (St Francis Bay) was outstanding in the U16 girls division, convincingly winning her quarter-final with rides of 6.5 and 5.75 and progressing to the semis where she will be challenged by the likes of Anoush Zakarian (Melkbosstrand), Cana Foster (Umdloti) and Teal Hogg (Umhlanga).

There were upsets galore in the U16 boys with the J-Bay trio of Jerry van Wyk, Tim Baard and Bernard Pretorious, along with Simo Mhkise (Umzumbe), ousted by U14 stars Masencamp, Williams, Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie) and Jake Elkington (Hout Bay). The younger contingent was joined in the semis by heat winners Steff Burrows (Stellenbosch) and Alex van Rijswick (Port Elizabeth) and second placed Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay) and Michael Monk (East London).

Masencamp, one of the front-runners for the ‘On Fire’ awards, and Williams, whose air-reverse leads the standings for the ‘Fly-Away’ award, are pitted against each other and the Kom duo of Fletcher and Brage Jorgenson in the first of the U14 semi-finals.

The second semi is made up of Koby Oberholzer (Warner Beach), Ford Van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) and J-Bay’s Rewaldo Abersalie and Arnold Vermaak.

The U10 final will be contested by Alex Townsend (Cape Town), Christian Venter (Melkbos), James Ribbink (Durban North) and Viviers Strydom (George).

Alongside the stunning performances in the surf, competitors and spectators alike followed legendary artist Steven Bibb’s lead by spray painting Plascon graphics onto the graffiti wall on the beach, and often on each other, utilising the table tennis table and exercise bikes and test riding the selection of Firewire demonstration surfboards.

The finals in all seven divisions will be run on Sunday to decide the recipients for the more than R100 000 in cash, prizes and special awards at stake.

Special awards for the top performers in the waves include the ‘On-Fire’ awards where two competitors each receive a Firewire surfboard: the ‘Fly-Away’ award comprising a trip for two to Jeffreys Bay courtesy of J-Bay Travel and African Perfection; the highest heat score earns an Apple iPad and custom-built Nixon accessories; the biggest carve wins a Sector 9 skateboard and all division winners get a set of Futures Fins.

All activities will be filmed and the photos and videos will be available for free download.

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) hitting the lip at J-Bay Point on Day 1 of the RVCA Junior Series Photo: Luke Patterson

The opening rounds of the inaugural RVCA Junior Series event got underway in glassy and well shaped 0.5 metre waves at the Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay on Friday with nearly 100 of the country’s best young surfers strutting their stuff in the surf and enjoying a host of activities on the beach.

Surfers in age categories ranging from U10 to U20 revelled in the sunny conditions, performing new school, radical manoeuvres and posting plenty of 7.0 and 8.0 point scores (out of a possible 10) on long rides down the rock lined point.

Diminutive Jeffreys Bay local Kai Woolf was one of the standouts, catching the best waves and riding with flair to win her opening heat in the U16 girls’ division and finish second in her U20 match-up to move into the quarter-finals against the older girls in both divisions.

Max Elkington (Hout Bay) was another to progress in two divisions when he left his opponents combo’d and needing to improve on both their scoring rides as he advanced to the semis in the U12 boys and then winning his U14 heat to move into the last 16.

Simo Mhkise (Umzumbe) showed the talent that will see him represent South Africa at the ISA World Junior Championships later this year by shooting out of the blocks in his U16 boys heat. Mhkise racked up a series of spectacular moves rewarded with 7.5 that saw him cruise into the quarters along with second placed Adin Masencamp (Strand).

And highly touted Mexican supergrom Sebastian Williams, 12, started slowly in his U14 heat, finishing second, before going on to win one of the toughest U16 heats to advance to the quarters ahead of SA junior team member Jordy Maree (Kalk Bay).

While the gladiators did battle in the surf their peers occupied themselves on the beach, decorating the graffiti wall with their Plascon sponsored spraypaint under the guidance of surf- artist extraordinaire Steven Bibb, participating in impromptu table tennis tournaments, warming up on the stationary bikes in the Red Bull tent and learning more about the state of the art Firewire surfboards from legendary ASP judge Mike Ginsberg before enjoying a classic sunset braaivleis on the beach.

Organisers completed the first round of all divisions except the U20 boys who will be the first to take to the surf in the ideal strong offshore winds and a rising swell forecast for Saturday morning.

The RVCA Junior Series runs until Sunday when the finals in all seven divisions will be run and the recipients decided for the more than R100 000 in cash and prizes at stake.

Special awards for the top performers in the waves include the ‘On-Fire’ awards where two competitors each receive a Firewire surfboard: the ‘Fly-Away’ award comprising a trip for two to Jeffreys Bay courtesy of J-Bay Travel and African Perfection; the highest heat score earns an Apple iPad and custom-built Nixon accessories; the biggest carve wins a Sector 9 skateboard and all division winners get a set of Futures Fins.

All activities will be filmed and the photos and videos will be available for free download.

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

York van Jaarsveldt, 10, from Kommetjie will be one of the redhot young surfers competing in the RVCA Junior Series event at Jeffreys Bay from 22-24 March Photo: Ross Turner

Nearly 100 of South Africa’s best young surfers aged 20-and-under are heading for the surfing Mecca of Jeffreys Bay this week to compete in the inaugural RVCA Junior Series which will be run in the world renowned waves of the Lower Point from Friday to Sunday (22-24 March).

The more than R100 000 in prize-money, prizes and special awards at stake in seven age divisions ranging from Under 10 to U20 for boys and girls, along with points in the 2013 Pro Surf Tour (PST) rankings, has attracted competitors from every corner of the SA coastline and even Mexican supergrom Sebastian Williams, 12.

The 32-man U20 boys’ field is packed with talent including ASP World Tour campaigners David Van Zyl (Glenashley) and the Kommetjie trio of Mikey February and brothers Davey and Benji Brand, alongside national junior team members such as Jeffreys Bay standouts Dylan Lightfoot and Steven Sawyer, Slade Prestwich (Durban North), Mikey Venter (Warner Beach), Max Armstrong (Scarborough) and Diran Zakarian (Melkbosstrand).

Local girls head the U20 girls contingent and current SA U17 champion Gina Smith, her sister Emma and fellow Jeffreys Bay local Tahra Uren will be hoping to see off the challenge from the likes of Nicole Pallet (La Lucia), Inge McLaren (East London) and Nina Woermann (Kenilworth, CT) and scoop the bulk of the prize-money and points on offer.

All four SA U13 finalists – Adin Masencamp (Strand), Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie), Jose Faulkner (Jeffreys Bay) and Max Elkington (Hout Bay) – will be in action in the U14 boys division at the RVCA event. They will be up against a talented field that includes Koby Oberholzer (Warner Beach), Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) and Sebastian Williams (Mexico).

Williams, who will also contest the U16 boys’ category, is visiting the country for the first time with his father, former Durbanite Tim Williams. Arguably the best 12 year-old to compete in SA, Williams was ranked No. 12 in the prestigious 2012 Surfer Mag ‘Hot 100 Groms’ (U16) list, up from 19th in 2011, and has a signature range of Firewire surfboards, a signature Sticky Bumps deckpad, endorses Futures Fins and has his own YouTube channel (YouTube.com/SebastianSurfer) which has received more than 70 000 views since 2009.

The Firewire stand at the event will provide expert advice and have a large selection of these exciting new-age surfboards for any of the competitors to test ride in the surf.

The RVCA Junior Series combines the subcultures of art, music, fashion and modern lifestyle to encourage young surfers to display creativity, originality and community awareness as well as performing in the waves.

The event incorporates an Instagram competition with an ANP artist onsite creating interactive artwork and motivating the surfers and spectators to get involved on the graffiti wall using the Plascon sponsored paints and stencils.

Special awards for the top performers in the waves include the ‘On-Fire’ awards for the most radical and expressive approach during the event with two competitors each receiving a state of the art Firewire surfboard while the ‘Fly-Away’ award goes to the surfer punting the biggest aerial manoeuvre who wins a trip for two to Jeffreys Bay courtesy of J-Bay Travel and African Perfection.

The surfer posting the highest heat score of the event ‘scores’ an Apple iPad and custom-built Nixon accessories; the surfer carving the biggest turn wins a Sector 9 skateboard; the winner of each division receives a set of Futures Fins and every competitor takes home a goodie bag of merchandise including Nixon headphones, RVCA contest tee, Lundun eyewear, Plascon spray paint, Sticky Bumps wax and loads more.

All activities will be filmed and the photos and videos will be available for free download.

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

The opening stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast culminated in fine fashion today with a tube-riding shootout in firing three-to-five foot (1-1.5 metre) waves at Kirra between two of the sport’s greatest champions.

Logie, who posted the highest heat total in Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, defeated the likes of compatriot Jordy Smith (who finished equal 13th), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Dusty Payne (HAW) and Brett Simpson (USA) on his way to the last 12 in the event.

Slater and Parkinson opened their 40-minute final bout with a rapid-fire exchange of tube-riding displays, vaulting the lead back and forth before Slater nailed a 9.93 for an incredibly-deep barrel punctuated by a full-velocity forehand gaff.

“It was just fun today,” Slater said. “I really wanted to surf Kirra as I made known the other day and it was great fun out there. We thought the swell was going to be too East, but it’s really, really good out there and to get to surf it with Joel (Parkinson) is even better. He’s one of the best and we had a lot of fun out there.”

Today’s win marks Slater’s 52nd elite tour victory of his career, but the iconic Floridian admits that it’s a long season ahead in terms of the hunt for the 2013 ASP World Title.

Parkinson looked unbeatable on the final day of the event, collecting a perfect 10 in his morning semi-final before posting an excellent 17.47 in his Final against Slater. However, the impressive scoreline would prove insufficient against the American’s onslaught and the reigning ASP World Champion would post a Runner-Up finish in the opening event of the year.

“When Kirra is doing what it’s doing out there today, it doesn’t feel like an event,” Parkinson said. “I had some great waves and a lot of fun, and to get to do it with the singlet on is icing on the cake. I appreciate all the local support out here today and Runner-Up is a good start to the season. Bring on Bells.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, two-time ASP World Champion (2007, 2009), went down in a barrel shootout this morning with Slater. Despite opening up with an impressive scoreline and an early lead, the Kirra local would ultimately fall to Slater in the dying moments of the heat – 18.60 to 19.37.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, opened up this morning’s action with a semi-final clash against Parkinson. Despite being universally-celebrated as one of the most powerful surfers throughout the event, the Tahitian found himself at odds this morning after the Australian’s quick start to their clash.

The next stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford from March 27 – April 7, 2013.

Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover are available via http://quiksilverlive.com/progoldcoast/2013/

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Mexican supergrom Sebastian Williams, 12, seen here riding a revolutionary 4’10” Firewire ‘Vanguard’ surfboard in Cape Town, will be competing against SA’s top junior surfers in the RVCA Junior Series event at Jeffreys Bay from 22-24 March Photo: Ross Turner

Mexican surfing supergrom, Sebastian Williams, 12, looks set to make a huge impression amongst South Africa’s top junior surfers when he competes in the inaugural RVCA Junior Series in Jeffreys Bay from 22-24 March.

On his first trip to the country with his father, former Durbanite Tim Williams, Sebastian had everyone who saw him surfing in Cape Town on the weekend asking, “Who is that kid?”, with his phenomenal talent in the waves, cutting edge equipment and mature attitude.

Rated in the prestigious Surfer Mag ‘Hot 100 Groms’ list in both 2011 and 2012, Sebastian already has a signature range of Firewire surfboards (the Sebastian Williams Pro Model), a signature deckpad by Sticky Bumps (the Williams), endorses Futures Fins and has his own YouTube channel (YouTube.com/SebastianSurfer) which has received more than 70 000 views since 2009.

Having grown up surfing sand-bottom points on the island off the Mexican coast where he lives, Sebastian is looking forward to competing in the RVCA event at the Lower Point in Jeffreys Bay.

“I’m really looking forward riding J-Bay and competing against the South Africans,” said Sebastian. “I got to hang-out with a bunch of really cool guys in Cape Town and saw some of the local kids surfing really good. Hopefully we’ll get waves at J-Bay and I can do well in the contest.”

The RVCA Junior Series event has attracted nearly 100 entries from all over the SA coastline in age divisions ranging from U10 to U20 for boys and girls with more than R100 000 in prize-money and prizes at stake, along with points on the 2013 Pro Surf Tour (PST) rankings.

RVCA combines the subcultures of art, music, fashion and modern lifestyle making this a unique event with the young surfers encouraged to display creativity, originality and community awareness as well as performing in the waves.

An Instagram competition will be launched at the event with an ANP artist onsite creating an interactive artwork and motivating the surfers and spectators to get involved on the graffitti wall using the Plascon sponsored paints and stencils.

Special awards for the top performers in the waves include the ‘On-Fire’ awards where the two surfers displaying the most radical and expressive approach during the event will each receive a state of the art Firewire surfboard.

The Firewire stand at the event will also provide expert advice and a large selection of these exciting new-age surfboards for any of the competitors to test ride in the surf.

The ‘Fly-Away’ award goes to the surfer punting the biggest aerial manoeuvre who wins a trip for two to Jeffreys Bay courtesy of J-Bay Travel that includes return flights from anywhere in SA and accommodation at ‘African Perfection’, the premier B&B overlooking Supertubes.

The highest heat score in the event ‘scores’ an Apple iPad and custom-built Nixon accessories, the biggest carve wins a Sector 9 skateboard and the winner of each division receives a set of Futures Fins.

In addition, all activities will be filmed and the photos and videos will be available for free download.

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

Entries for those divisions that are not already full can be submitted online at www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za and participants must be PST members.

The RVCA Junior Series can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rvcajuniorseries

Travis Logie (Durban) in action on Day 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in Australia where the Durbanite posted the highest heat tally of the event to date Photo: ASP / Scholtz

RAINBOW BAY, Queensland/Australia (Tuesday, March 5, 2013) –The world’s best surfers donned the competitor’s singlet for this first time this season as Round 1 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover was completed in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Rainbow Bay.

Event No. 1 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will set the tone for the world’s best surfers this season and if the performances of today are any indication, the talent pool amongst this year’s ASP Top 34 runs historically deep.

South Africans Travis Logie and Jordy Smith started their respective 2013 campaigns impressively by posting the two highest heat totals of the day’s action. Both progressed directly to Round 3, skipping the cutthroat Round 2 elimination heats.

Logie, 32, took top honours by racking up scores of 9.27 and 8.93 and a tally of 18.20 out of a possible 20 for a series of critical backhand combinations.

“It feels so good to start the year off with a heat win,” Logie said. “The past few seasons, my starts have been inconsistent, but I’m healthy, I have good boards under my feet and I feel like I’m surfing at the highest level of my career.

“The draw is so gnarly these days – guys like Adriano (de Souza) and Dusty (Payne) are deadly at any venue on tour and that pretty much goes for the entire Top 34 right now. Really stoked to get a win and hope the waves keep pumping this week.”

Competing in the last heat of the day as the tide drained out and wave selection became more critical, Smith, 25, started slowly before finding a wave that ran the full length of the competition area, allowing him to deliver an electrifying series of manoeuvres that earned him 9.63, the day’s third highest single ride score.

Electing to leave the water and run up the beach rather than wasting time with the long paddle back to the take-off spot, Smith found another good wave with two minutes remaining that the judges rewarded with an 8.30 which left his opponents needing near-perfect nine point rides as the hooter sounded to end the heat.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, caused the upset of the day, relegating the reigning ASP World Champion and local favourite Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, to the elimination Round 2. Wilkinson’s backhand flow and flair was unmatched today as the Central Coast goofy-footer locked in the event high single wave score of a 9.93 out of a possible 10 en route to his Round 1 win.

“It feels good to post a win over someone like Joel (Parkinson),” Wilkinson said. “He obviously knows the banks here better than everyone, but I feel like I’ve been surfing well the last couple years – things just haven’t been going my way. I definitely feel like I surf stronger on my backhand and the waves lined up for me in that heat. Pumped to be through to Round 3 and hope to keep it pushin’.”

When competition resumes, up first will be Parkinson against event wildcard Brent Dorrington (AUS) in the opening heat of Round 2.

Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30am tomorrow to assess conditions for a possible 8am (midnight SA time) start. After three days of great waves, contest director Jake Paterson is confident that the contest will run again tomorrow.

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, which is running in conjunction with the Quiksilver Pro Coast, has already reached the quarter-final stage. South African Bianca Buitendag, competing in her first ASP Women’s WCT event, will be up against ASP No. 2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in third heat when the event resumes.

About ASP: The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the recognized world governing body of professional surfing and has been crowning surfing’s undisputed World Champions since 1976. The ASP sanctions and crowns World Champions for the following tours: the ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, ASP World Junior Tour, ASP World Longboard and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts and other media platforms. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Japan, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

Dylan Lightfoot takes to the air on his way to victory in the U20 Boys final Photo: Billabong / Kody McGregor

Durban – Dylan Lightfoot was the star performer at the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS event in Durban on the weekend, winning every heat he contested and comfortably taking both the Under 20 and U18 boys’ titles.

Competing in rippable one metre waves at New Pier, the 18 year-old DaKine and Nixon team-rider from Jeffreys Bay earned a wildcard into the U20 specialty event by winning the U18 final. He went on to dominate his older competitors to pocket a total of R15 000 in prize-money and take the early lead in both the Billabong Junior Series and SSA Pro Surf Tour (PST) U18 rankings.

Heidi Palmboom (Bluff) snatched the winner-takes-all R10 000 prize-purse in the U20 girls while Chanelle Botha (Warner Beach) outclassed her opponents in the U18 girls, posting almost twice the score of runner-up Nicole Pallet (Durban) to add R5 000 to her bank balance.

Jordan Maree (Kalk Bay) was just as dominant in the U16 boys, which like the U18 divisions, was 2A PST rated. Racking up a heat tally of 13.25 points out of a possible 20, Maree left runner-up Tim Baard (Jeffreys Bay) with too much to do as he cruised to victory.

The most impressive performance came from diminutive Kai Woolf (Jeffreys Bay).who posted a perfect 10 point ride and followed that with a 9.40 for a heat total of 19.40 in the U14 girls’ final. That not only clinched the title for Woolf but also earned her the Nixon WTA award of a custom engraved Nixon watch for the highest heat total of the entire event, which she accepted with an impressive speech that belied her tender years.

By contrast, the final of the U14 boys was a ding-dong encounter with the lead changing hands several times and Koby Oberholzer (Durban) narrowly outscoring Adin Masencamp (Strand) by less than a point to take the win.

The final of the U12 boys, the youngest division in the Billabong Junior Series, was also a see-saw battle with Max Elkington (Hout Bay) eventually pulling ahead to secure victory after a great display of progressive surfing.

The light onshore wind provided ideal ramps for aerial and progressive manoeuvres and the country’s top 20-and-under surfers took full advantage, pushing the limits and making it difficult for the judges to decide the special awards.

Once the spray had settled, the VonZipper Flair Up award and R10 000 went to Diran Zakarian (Melkbosstrand) for the highest flying aerial while Shane Sykes (Salt Rock) received the DaKine Youthful Movement award and R10 000 for his progressive surfing.

The next stop on the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS will be held at Nahoon Beach in East London on 6&7 April before moving to Kommetjie in Cape Town in August and culminating at Seal Point in the Eastern Cape in September where the series champions in all divisions will be crowned.

The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa, recognised by the Dept of Sport and Recreation as the national controlling body for surfing. The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions except the U20’s earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

Billabong South Africa can be followed on Facebook at Billabong South Africa
Billabong South Africa is on Twitter @BillabongSA
Billabong is on Instagram @billabongsa – the series hashtag is #billabongjnr